What I learned from Adventure Thursdays

I wanted to talk more about what I learned from Adventure Thursdays.

In my head and on Pinterest adventures look like this:

But in my real life they actually look like this:

And I got to a point where I just had to draw it out, on my Big White Wall:

And when I first started Adventure Thursdays that drove me insane. Because I very much like it when things are aesthetically pleasing-- parties, outfits, the feel of my blog. Even writing this blog post is freaking me out because it just doesn't look very good, it doesn't match the brand I am trying to create. But just like right now I have to stop and realize that the things I write about are just as important as how it looks, with our adventures I had to step back and realize that it was okay that they didn't match the look in my head.

At first I was tempted to wait until I bought my nice camera to begin them, because I knew I was going to write about them constantly on my blog and I wanted good pictures. Then I had the crazy thought to give people ideas on how to dress like an adventurer when they came on Thursdays, weird, I know. Then I got to the first adventure and realized that to me going to an art museum seemed like a lovely adventure, but no one else really cared about the art, and the same sort of thing happened with other adventure ideas of mine.

So I had to try to not stress about the aesthetics, or pleasing everybody, or making sure every single person had a ride. I realized that anyone can be an adventurer, and I had to let go of my already established ideas about people and learn to invite them anyway. And now that I get to take it all in and really think it all through, I know what I want to improve next summer, and anytime I plan an adventure during the school year-- I want to share my vision of Adventure Thursdays with people more, because right now I don't think all of the adventurers completely get what they are really about and what they have the potential to become. And because I do know that aesthetics are important to me, I want to make our adventures match my branding, as well as the individuality of all the adventurers as best as I can, while still maintaining the "come as you are" atmosphere. I want to better live the anyone is welcome part of my vision, by inviting people I wouldn't normally.

Man, next summer is gonna be the bombdotdiggity.

Last Adventure Thursday of Summer 2013

Though last night was the last Adventure Thursday of this summer, it certainly was nothing close to the last adventure. Next summer they will begin again, and until then and forever there will be plenty of less official ones to fill up our lives.

Because it was the last planned one for a while I wanted to make it BIG. And it was.

The gang came over to my house and we feasted on crepes and all the toppings. Then we watched a slideshow of all the pictures from all our adventures. (actually the slideshow didn't work... I was kinda embarrassed haha) Then we watched Psych. Honestly in my head I was imagining watching something way classy like Sabrina or something, but not everyone has my taste in movies. And I really do enjoy Psych as well. It was great fun, some of my favorite friends in the whole world, old and new, were there. Everyone seemed to enjoy themselves. The crepes were yummy. Overall it was a smash, and a lovely way to end our summer.

Micah, Sarah, and Marohn

I quite like that banner.

My newest buddies.

And this isn't even all of the adventurers.

Now that it's all over for a while. I am very happy with how Adventure Thursdays came out. I learned from them, my friends and I were inspired, I grew, and we all created memories. I cannot wait until they can begin again. Next summer will be even better. But until then-- keep adventuring. 

Adventure Thursdays

Take pictures in a photo booth.

Ride a zip line.

Take a hike.

Start a giant game of chalk twister.

Watch the sun rise.

Go on a classy dressed up outing.

Dance in the rain.

Star gazing.

Go to a drive-in movie.

People watching.

Wander around a town's main street.

Do yoga outside.

Visit an art museum.

Have a picnic in a park.

Mini road trip.

Chalk the Block at the Riverwoods.

Wander around Thanksgiving Point.

Bucket list pass off day.

Go thrift shopping.

Do a photo shoot.

This is something I am starting. Every Thursday I will be doing something adventurous, and whoever wants to join me can. In my mind, making little things into adventures are the key to living life to the fullest. Also, this weekend, through active mediation, I realized that I am very good at making lots of short-term friendships, but I need to work on making deep, long lasting friendships. I am hoping Adventure Thursdays will be one of the first steps towards making those friendships. This whole thing kinda freaks me out, because I have no idea who will show up and how it will turn out. This means I will be hanging out with people from completely different groups of friends, all at the same time. But when a bunch of people get out of their comfort zones and do something adventurous together, it brings them together. I want to make this a weekly tradition that continues through summers to come, maybe even for the rest of my life. They don't need to be big adventures, but they will be memorable. I don't want to limit ourselves to just things that are free, so I personally am starting an adventure fund so we can do spontaneous things. Being able to do things spontaneously is also a key to being happy, and it is something that I can improve in my life.

Our adventures will always be classy, and they will always be documented. This is stuff we'll want to remember!

Start an adventure fund! And feel free to join me any Adventure Thursday. 

p.s. If you can't make it on Thursdays, just talk to me about it. I would love to live life to the fullest, any day of the week!